The first exchange between the Sultan and Arbitus after twenty years just makes me think of all the ways this could have been the best episode of the entire series.

“You made a promise. Live by your word, or die by it." 

I genuinely think that Arbitus either doesn’t realize that the Sultan wasn’t being the least bit malicious, or the plucking of a flower is just so important to him that he HAS to treat the Sultan just as he would a person that’d come into his kingdom and harm his plants deliberately. 

This could have helped to create a fascinating dialogue around themes like respecting personal boundaries and cultural differences, revering all forms of life, etc. 

Meanwhile Aladdin is not even paying attention and is just trying to hit things with swords. Who wants to bet he won’t learn anything from this experience, either? 

Since, y’know, he’s a secondary character in this episode. 

Also Arbitus finds you totally incidental, Aladdin. 

"It’s art." 

Couldn’t resist.